BruControl: Brewery control & automation software

[Tartan1]

By chance did you miss wiring the TF-4 board to the AREF pin, also are you powering any other 5VDC devices from the MEGA board 5VDC pin? If the board's 5V pin has a heavy draw it could cause the temp readings to fluctuate.

 

[oakbarn]

By chance did you miss wiring the TF-4 board to the AREF pin, also are you powering any other 5VDC devices from the MEGA board 5VDC pin? If the board's 5V pin has a heavy draw it could cause the temp readings to fluctuate.

I went back an rechecked (and re documented) my wiring as I am not that neat with it. I made sure that the TF4 is powered with the 5+ volts of the Mega (tied to AREF) and that the ground is tied to a Mega GND. They are all steady now. I am not using the 5 vdc of the Mega for anything else but I might use it for One Wire as well. I will try it and if it causes an issue, I will use my Grand Central Valve Control Interface.

The Only reason I would run off the Mega is a "backup" for a 10K NTC Probe for a Mega PID.

 

[CDCTx]

Anyone using a pressure sensor/transducer in their kettles to measure volume? If so, what sensor/transducer are you using?

I use a transducer for my fermenter to measure head pressure, so the 30psi ones are fine for that, but I see that 30psi is far overkill for my Brewzilla Gen4 65L. I'm considering adding something to the bottom port (add a T for sensor and valve) to track my RO water fill and post-boil volumes (accounting for wort density, of course).

 

[Brewsader1]

Anyone using a pressure sensor/transducer in their kettles to measure volume? If so, what sensor/transducer are you using?

I use a transducer for my fermenter to measure head pressure, so the 30psi ones are fine for that, but I see that 30psi is far overkill for my Brewzilla Gen4 65L. I'm considering adding something to the bottom port (add a T for sensor and valve) to track my RO water fill and post-boil volumes (accounting for wort density, of course).

Yes, I have these or same from different store on alie: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...|x_object_id:1005008585128318|_p_origin_prod:

You can order different pressure sensitivities and can do a 4-20 mA output or usually they can do a 0-5v output as well.

 

[CDCTx]

Yes, I have these or same from different store on alie: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808398813566.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.19.28d78x7E8x7EEK&algo_pvid=1724e246-c377-4395-87ff-4d100e086ab9&algo_exp_id=1724e246-c377-4395-87ff-4d100e086ab9-18&pdp_ext_f={"order":"2","eval":"1"}&pdp_npi=6@dis!USD!39.05!31.24!!!39.05!31.24!@2140f53817570010642504434e2c6d!12000045837463138!sea!US!0!ABX!1!0!n_tag:-29910;d:46d43c97;m03_new_user:-29895&curPageLogUid=E0ofEV4s8OBj&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:|x_object_id:1005008585128318|_p_origin_prod:

You can order different pressure sensitivities and can do a 4-20 mA output or usually they can do a 0-5v output as well.

Thanks for this. Looks like the holy grail is a 5v, 100mbar/0m1bar sanitary version, but at least I have some good direction now. I could try 4-20 mA with an ADC too... just more wiring then I'm looking forward to, hah

 

[Brewsader1]

Thanks for this. Looks like the holy grail is a 5v, 100mbar/0m1bar sanitary version, but at least I have some good direction now. I could try 4-20 mA with an ADC too... just more wiring then I'm looking forward to, hah

I like the 4-20 mA from the aspect that it resists noise better, but either way would work. And all you need is a 250 ohm resistor for 5v logic, or a 165 ohm resistor for 3.3v to turn the mA to voltage.

 

[CDCTx]

I like the 4-20 mA from the aspect that it resists noise better, but either way would work. And all you need is a 250 ohm resistor for 5v logic, or a 165 ohm resistor for 3.3v to turn the mA to voltage.

I think I found the one. Thank you!

 

[oakbarn]

Trying to set up some one wires probes.

I created the first one and it read good ( around 75 F). I added a second one and they both now read -196. I have wired it with the data wire to Pin /Port 6 , a 4.7K resistor between the 5 v (from the Mega) and the ground attacted to the Mega as well. Firmware 46. I don't have anything else connected to the Mega.

Any idea?

 

[Brewsader1]

Trying to set up some one wires probes.

I created the first one and it read good ( around 75 F). I added a second one and they both now read -196. I have wired it with the data wire to Pin /Port 6 , a 4.7K resistor between the 5 v (from the Mega) and the ground attacted to the Mega as well. Firmware 46. I don't have anything else connected to the Mega.

Any idea?

Just had this issue myself. You may need to drop the resistor value. I'm running all 10 and have a 1.2k ohm resistor. I don't think you want to go below 1k. Also, I need to shorten all my cable lengths, and that should help too. Lastly, don't be like me and fail to label each sensor index haha

 

[oakbarn]

My one wires are working or not. I am going to try a different resistor.

 

[oakbarn]

I have two heating elements in an HLT.

I do have a PWM to voltage converter.

The output of that goes to a 2-10v Propotional Controller.
I was trying to use a Hysteris Element type, but it heats but never reaches the Setpoint. (About 60-70 F below). I tried a Duty Cycle but that does not seem to even heat.

I try a PWM element and it works great. I wrote a little script to create my own Hysteris and it does the job maintaining my setpoint.

I have not tried a PID Element but may do so.

Any thoughts?

 

[Brewsader1]

I have two heating elements in an HLT.

I do have a PWM to voltage converter.

The output of that goes to a 2-10v Propotional Controller.
I was trying to use a Hysteris Element type, but it heats but never reaches the Setpoint. (About 60-70 F below). I tried a Duty Cycle but that does not seem to even heat.

I try a PWM element and it works great. I wrote a little script to create my own Hysteris and it does the job maintaining my setpoint.

I have not tried a PID Element but may do so.

Any thoughts?

My understanding is that a PID is an advanced Hyesteris. You have to give it the P,I,D parameters, but properly done, it'll softly approach your target and keep it there. This should work with your proportional controller, just select the "PWM output" in the PID, and it will send the PWM signal out that controls your proportional output, and then will control your element proportionally, rather than the on/off timing based method of Hysteresis.

Also, just confirm the element (your temp probe) driving the is correctly set. And have you verified you are getting the proper voltage range from your voltage converter? If it's set to 1-5v output, then you're only getting 50% power at best.